Passiflora plant named ‘Snow Queen’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Passiflora named ‘Snow Queen’ that is characterized by large entirely white flowers consisting of white petals, white sepals and white corona filaments. The petals and sepals of ‘Snow Queen’ are thick and waxy. ‘Snow Queen’ is highly floriferous, hardy in USDA zone 8b, vigorous and bears strong dark green leathery foliage.

Genus and species: Passiflora caerulea.

Variety denomination: ‘Snow Queen’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toan application filed with the European Community Plant Variety Office,which was filed for the instant plant variety on Jan. 7, 2016, FileNumber 2016/0047. ‘Snow Queen’ has not been made publicly available orsold more than one year prior to the filing date of the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofPassiflora commonly known as Passion Flower or Passion Vine that isgrown for use as an ornamental plant for planting in gardens and in thelandscape. Plants of Passiflora may also be trained for use as containergrown plants. The new variety is known botanically as Passifloracaerulea, and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘SnowQueen’.

‘Snow Queen’ resulted from a formal breeding program that wasestablished by the inventor in 2002 in Surbiton, Surrey, United Kingdom.The inventor has made close study of the genus Passiflora and has bredseveral varieties with improved garden performance, including improvedhardiness and vigor combined with larger flower size, longer-lastingflowers and unique color combinations of petals, sepals and corona.

‘Snow Queen’ is the result of the inventor's deliberate pollination ofPassiflora ‘White Wedding’ (unpatented), as the female parent with themale parent, an un-named and un-released seedling of the speciesPassiflora caerulea which the inventor had raised and retained fromprevious breeding. The inventor chose the female parent for its presumedpolyploid characteristics and chose the male parent for its extrahardiness since it alone had survived outside through a hard winter.

From the seedlings arising from the pollination as described, theinventor selected ‘Snow Queen’ in 2011 for the purity of its large whiteflowers which exhibit long-lasting qualities and for the vigor andhardiness of the plants themselves. Based on his experience andexpertise in the genus and its cultivars, the inventor considers that‘Snow Queen’ is very likely to be a triploid variety.

The first asexual propagation of ‘Snow Queen’ was accomplished by theinventor in 2011 in the inventor's garden in Surbiton, Surrey, UnitedKingdom. The method of propagation was rooting of soft and semi-hardstem cuttings. The inventor has observed through repeated propagationsof ‘Snow Queen’ that ‘Snow Queen’ is stable and reproduces true to typein successive generations of asexual propagation via rooting of soft andsemi-hard stem cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newPassiflora cultivar ‘Snow Queen’. In combination, these characteristicsset ‘Snow Queen’ apart from all other existing varieties of Passifloraknown to the inventor.

-   -   1. ‘Snow Queen’ exhibits large white flowers consisting of white        petals, sepals and corona filaments.    -   2. The petals and sepals of ‘Snow Queen’ are thick and waxy.    -   3. ‘Snow Queen’ is highly floriferous, producing many buds and        flowers simultaneously on an established plant.    -   4. ‘Snow Queen’ is readily propagated using softwood cuttings.    -   5. ‘Snow Queen’ is hardier than many varieties of the species:        ‘Snow Queen’ has survived in temperatures of −8° C.    -   6. The leaves of ‘Snow Queen’ are dark green in color, strong        and leathery in texture, and glossy or semi-glossy on their        upper surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Passiflora variety ‘Snow Queen’ showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describes the actualcolors of the new variety, ‘Snow Queen’. All photographs were made fromplants growing outdoors in Surbiton, Surrey, United Kingdom.

FIG. 1 depicts a whole vining plant of ‘Snow Queen’ growing against awall. The illustrated plant is fifteen-months-old.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the dark green, strong, leatheryfoliage of ‘Snow Queen’ of the plant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view from above of a flower of ‘Snow Queen’ ofthe plant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up side view of a flower of ‘Snow Queen’ whenreflexing of the plant of FIG. 1. This photograph illustrates (from topto bottom) the styles and stigma, the ovary, the stamens and lightlysuspended anthers, the operculum of fine upright filaments, the coronaof lateral filaments and finally the alternating sepals and petals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the Passiflora cultivar named‘Snow Queen’. Data was collected in Surbiton, United Kingdom from afifteen-month-old plant growing outdoors. Color determinations are inaccordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification:    -   -   Genus and species.—Passiflora caerulea.        -   Denomination.—‘Snow Queen’.        -   Common name.—Passion flower, Passion vine.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Passiflora ‘White Wedding’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—A seedling of Passiflora caerulea raised by the            inventor (un-named and unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Use.—Vining garden ornamental for planting against walls or            on trellises, or trained for use in planted containers.        -   Type.—Semi-deciduous vine.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, grows rapidly from spring until fall.        -   Habit.—Vining.        -   Height or length (at maturity).—8 meters.        -   Width (at maturity).—4 meters.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 8b; plants have been observed to            survive above −8° C.        -   Propagation.—Softwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate rooting.—3 weeks at air or soil temperature            of 22° C.; a young plant will be well-rooted in 6 weeks.        -   Root system.—Slightly fleshy, strong, freely branching; root            diameter up to 3.0 mm, color 155A.        -   Soil requirement.—Moist, well-drained soils, avoiding very            wet soils.        -   Sunlight preference.—Full-sun is preferred.        -   Crop time.—12 to 15 weeks (from transplanting a rooted            cutting) are needed to produce a budded and flowering plant            in a 1-liter container.        -   Disease and pests.—‘Snow Queen’ is susceptible to viruses            which are common to the genus, notably Passiflora mosaic            virus (genus Potyvirus, species unknown). ‘Snow Queen’ is            similarly susceptible to common plant pests, notably thrips            (Thripidae) and spider mites (Tetranychus).-   Stem:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical, stiff, wiry.        -   Dimensions.—3.0 m in length and 4.0 mm in diameter.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Initially 144A (juvenile growth and apical growth);            where exposed to sun, longitudinal striations of 187A; at            maturity, entire surface is colored 187A and 187B.        -   Internode length.—6.0 cm to 12.0 cm between nodes.        -   Branching habit.—Stimulated by pruning; lateral branches may            emerge at each node.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Semi-evergreen.        -   Leaf strength.—Strong.        -   Surface texture.—Leathery.        -   Leaf surface appearance.—Glossy or semi-glossy (adaxial            surface); matte (abaxial surface).        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Type.—Compound, predominantly 5-lobed, occasionally 3-lobed.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petioles.—Length: 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to            3.0 mm. Color: 146C, aging through 175D to 187A. Petiole            glands: 4 to 9 ovoid glands, 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm in length,            arranged singly or in pairs towards upper section of            petiole; nectar has not been observed.        -   Stipules.—Arranged in irregular pairs at each node; 3.0 cm            in length, 1.5 cm in width, color 136A.        -   Tendrils.—One per node, tightly spiraled, wiry, strong;            unfurled length approximately 17.0 cm, diameter 2.0 mm to            3.0 mm; color ranges between 146C and 175D.        -   Compound leaf.—Dimensions (maximum): 15.0 cm in length and            22.0 cm in width. Lobes: Dimensions: Central (largest) lobe            up to 15.0 cm in length; 4.0 cm in width; outer lobes (2            pairs or 1 pair) 12.0 cm in length; 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm in            width. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused to adjacent lobes. Margin:            Smooth, entire, undulating. Color (both surfaces): New            growth 144A; mature foliage ranges between 137A and 136A and            occasionally very dark N189A. Venation: Palmate; prominent            fold along midrib; midrib appears lighter in color than            adjacent lamina, occasionally turns maroon, 187A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   General description.—Strong flower held proud of foliage            consisting of tube bearing five sepals, five petals and many            threadlike membranes (together, the corona) above which are            five prominent anthers, the ovary and three prominent            stigmas and styles.        -   Blooming season.—Continually from spring through summer,            including hot summers, and into fall; first buds have been            observed in February in southern England.        -   Quantity of flowers.—At peak flowering, a fifteen-month-old            plant of ‘Snow Queen’ bears approximately 150 buds and 30            open or opening flowers.        -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—2 to 3 days.        -   Fragrance.—Slightly sweet.        -   Peduncle.—Shape and aspect: Cylindrical; upright or at right            angles to stem. Dimensions: 5.0 cm in length, 3 mm in            diameter. Color: 143C.        -   Bracts.—3 in number, free, basally fused to peduncle, 1.8 cm            in length.        -   Buds.—Shape is obconical; apex is rounded, sepal awns            extending up to 5.0 mm; base is rounded; dimensions            (immediately prior to opening), length is 7.0 cm and            diameter 3.0 cm; color is 144B.        -   Flower dimensions.—11.0 cm 12.0 cm in diameter when petals            and sepals fully opened; petals and sepals reflex with age.        -   Sepals.—5 in number, narrowly ovate, 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm in            length, 1.5 cm in width; surface texture fleshy and waxy;            color NN155C and translucent 154D towards apex (both            surfaces); apex is rounded (except for awns); base is            truncate; sepal awn (attached to apex) is recurving            crescent-like and length up to 5.0 mm.        -   Petals.—5 in number, alternating with sepals, narrowly            ovate, 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm in length, 1.5 cm in width; surface            texture is fleshy; color NN155C (both surfaces); petal apex            is rounded; base is truncate.        -   Corona.—Consists of two layers of rod-like filaments, 50 to            70 filaments per layer; filament length ranges between 7.5            cm and 8.0 cm; filaments in upper layer are slightly longer;            filament diameter is 1.5 mm; filament color is pure white,            whiter than NN155D, very occasional light violet-blue tints,            92C or lighter, have been observed towards filament tips            under early and late season cooler conditions.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Operculum.—Inner corona of upright rod-like filaments            arranged in tight concentric rings; filament length ranges            between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm, diameter less than 1 mm; very            numerous filaments, at least 100 in number per flower; color            is pure white, whiter than NN155D.        -   Androgynophore.—Tubular, approximately 1.0 cm in diameter;            1.5 cm in height; color is 146D.        -   Stamens.—5 in number; filaments flattened, width 7.0 mm,            length 30.0 mm to 35.0 mm, color is 146D with light            speckling N187A towards anther attachment.        -   Anthers.—Prominent, elliptic, 45.0 mm in length, 15.0 mm in            width, color is 146D; anther attachment is loosely minutely            attached, anther hangs with adaxial (pollen-bearing); aspect            is surface downwards.        -   Pollen.—Dark yellow 17A, sparse, concentrated around and            below perimeter of anther.        -   Ovary.—Superior; shape ellipsoidal, 18.0 cm in diameter;            surface, glossy; color, 157D.        -   Styles.—3 in number, strong, rigid, joined above ovary,            length (including stigma) 5.0 cm.        -   Color.—146D with heavy mottling N187A.        -   Stigma.—Bifurcated; overall width 2 cm, depth 0.5 cm; color            is 146D with mottling of N187A.-   Fruit, seed: Produced very rarely: less than one fruit per 100    flowers; where observed, shape is ovoid; color is RHS 143D green    ripening to RHS 17A yellow-orange; dimensions are 6.5 cm in length,    4.0 cm in diameter; seed (mostly observed immature) is 30 to 40    seeds in number, including many aborting; seed shape is ellipsoid;    seed color is RHS 145B pale green; seed dimensions are approximately    6.0 mm in length, 2.0 mm in diameter; where seeds have matured,    color RHS 200A dark brown, surface reticulated.

COMPARISON TO PARENTAL LINES AND COMMERCIAL VARIETY

‘Snow Queen’ may be distinguished from its parents as follows. Incomparison with the female parent, ‘White Wedding’ (unpatented), ‘SnowQueen’ has survived in hard winters whereas ‘White Wedding’ has died.The foliage of ‘Snow Queen’ is vigorous with consistent thick dark greenleaves, whereas the foliage of ‘White Wedding’ is variable in vigor andslightly lighter in color. Both ‘White Wedding’ and ‘Snow Queen’ bearwhite flowers.

In comparison with the male parent, a seedling of the species P.caerulea, ‘Snow Queen’ bears all-white flowers whereas the species bearspredominantly blue flowers.

The varieties of Passiflora which the inventor considers most closelyresemble ‘Snow Queen’ are Passiflora ‘White Wedding’, compared above,and Passiflora ‘Constance Eliott’ (unpatented). Whereas the whiteflowers of ‘Constance Eliott’ are 8 cm to 9 cm in diameter with 4 cm to5 cm long corona filaments, the flowers of ‘Snow Queen’ are 11 cm to 12cm in diameter with filaments between 7.5 and 8.0 cm in length. Theflowers of ‘Constance Eliott’ usually open and close the same daywhereas the flowers of ‘Snow Queen’ may open for two days or more. Inaddition, whereas the foliage of ‘Constance Eliott’ is typical of thespecies, the foliage of ‘Snow Queen’ is thick, strong and leathery intexture and with larger leaves.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Passiflora plant named ‘SnowQueen’ as illustrated and described herein.